Wanda Kokoszka

The aim of the article is to analyze the possibilities of using a lightweight dynamic cone probe DCP to determine the quality of compaction of surface layers of embankments (from 0.10 m to approx. 0.80 m below ground level). For this purpose, comparative tests of non-cohesive soil used for the construction of embankments were carried out using the DCP test and direct tests of the degree of compaction I_S in a calibration chamber with the following dimensions: height 1.10 m and diameter 0.75 m. The subsoil was prepared from difficult-to-compact sand (Sa) with a uniformity coefficient of C_U = 3.10 and curvature coefficient of C_C = 0.99. The soil in the laboratory in the calibration chamber was compacted in layers using a vibratory plate compactor. A database for statistical analysis was obtained, n = 68 cases described by seven variables: z, ρ, w, ρ_d, I_S, PI, N₁₀(DCP). It was found that the DCP probe can be used to assess the degree of compaction of embankments made of non-cohesive soil, using the developed relationship I_S = f(z, N₁₀(DCP)).

The crack resistance of concrete structures with low reinforcement ratios requires a broader examination. It is particularly important in the case of foundations working in changing subsoil conditions. Unfavorable phenomena occurring in the subsoil (e.g., ground subsidence, landslips, non-uniform settlement) can lead to unexpected cracking. Therefore, it is necessary to check the effectiveness of the low reinforcement provided. As there are limited studies on lightly reinforced concrete structures, we performed our own experimental investigation and numerical calculations. In the beams analyzed, the reinforcement ratio varied from 0.05% to 0.20%. It was found that crack resistance in concrete members depends on the reinforcement ratio and steel bar distribution. A comprehensive method was proposed for estimating the crack resistance of lightly reinforced concrete members in which both the reinforcement ratio and the reinforcement dispersion ratio were taken into account. Furthermore, the method considered the size effect and the fracture properties of concrete. The proposed method provides the basis for extrapolation of the test results obtained for small elements and conclusions for members with large cross-sections, such as foundations, which frequently use lightly reinforced concrete.

Proper quality assessment of ready-mixed concrete, which is currently the principal material for construction, land engineering and architecture, has an impact on the optimisation and verification of correct functioning of individual stages of the production process. According to the European Standard EN 206 “Concrete–Specification, performance, production and conformity”, obligatory conformity control of concrete is carried out by the producer during its production. In order to verify the quality of concrete, investors generally commission independent laboratory units to perform quality assessment of both concrete mix and hardened concrete, which guarantees a high quality of construction works. One of the essential tools for ensuring the quality of test results is the participation of laboratories in the so-called proficiency testing (PT) or inter-laboratory comparisons (ILC). Participation in PT/ILC programmes is, on the one hand, a tool for demonstrating the laboratory’s performance, on the other hand an aid for maintaining the quality of available concrete tests and validating test methods. Positive evaluation is a confirmation of the laboratory’s capability for performing the tests. The paper presents the results of laboratory proficiency tests carried out by means of inter-laboratory comparisons, as shown in the example of quality assessment of ready-mixed concrete for nine participating laboratories. The tests were performed for concrete of the following parameters: strength class C30/37, consistency S3, frost resistance degree F150, and water resistance degree W8. This involved determining consistencies, air content and density of the concrete mix, and compressive strength of hardened concrete. For the evaluation of laboratory performance results, z-score, ζ-score and E_n-score were applied. The innovation of the proposed study lies in employing both classical and iterative robust statistical methods. In comparison with classical statistical methods, robust methods ensure a smaller impact of outliers and other anomalies on the measurement results. Following the analyses, clear differences were found between the types of detected discrepancy of test results, which occurred due to the nature of individual parameters. For two laboratories, two scores revealed unsatisfactory results for concrete mix consistency. The main reasons can be pouring into the cone-shaped form a concrete mixture that is too dry, or incorrect use of a measuring tool also creating a possibility that the obtained value can be wrongly recorded. Other possible reasons are discussed in the paper. Participation in inter-laboratory comparison programmes is undoubtedly a way to verify and raise the quality of tests performed for concrete mix and hardened concrete, whereas individual analysis of the results allows the laboratory quality system to be improved.

Landslides and rock falls are among the many phenomena that have an impact on sustainable construction and infrastructure safety. The main causes of landslides are natural meteorological and hydrological phenomena. In building design and construction, environmental monitoring by identifying geotechnical hazards must be taken into account, as appropriate hazard assessment contributes to ensuring future construction safety. The Carpathian region in southern Poland is particularly predisposed to landslide formation. This may be favored by the nature of the shapes associated with the high and steep slopes of the region’s valleys. Another reason for concern is the flysch geological structure, which is characterized by alternating layers of water-permeable sandstones and poorly permeable shales, clays, and marls. Furthermore, the presence of a quaternary weathering cover makes the geological structure more susceptible to landslide processes and tectonic formations. The paper presents the results of a study whose aim was to elaborate a detailed landslide hazard map for a selected area in the Polish Carpathians, using statistical methods. The approach is based on the Hellwig method, which seems particularly useful in the assessment of susceptibility and landslide hazards on a local scale for a relatively small area. A two-stage study was conducted. The first stage of the research involved the creation of a database associated with environmental parameters and triggering factors, whereas the second stage consisted of the adoption of weights for seven thematic sections and their special features on the basis of expert knowledge. The hazard map developed as a result was compared to the mapping made using the weight-of-evidence method. The proposed data normalization method allows the use and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data collected from various sources. The advantage of this method is the simple calculation procedure. A large-scale (1:2000) map might be used to assess the landslide hazard for specific cadastral units. Such a map becomes the basis for municipal spatial planning and may be able to influence investment decisions. Detailed landslide hazard maps are crucial for more precise risk evaluation for specific cadastral units. This, in turn, allows one to reduce serious economic and social losses, which might be the future results of landslides.

Control of technical parameters obtained by ready-mixed concrete may be carried out at different stages of the development of concrete properties and by different participants involved in the construction investment process. According to the European Standard EN 206 “Concrete–Specification, performance, production and conformity”, mandatory control of concrete conformity is conducted by the producer during production. As shown by the subject literature, statistical criteria set out in the standard, including the method for concrete quality assessment based on the concept of concrete family, continue to evoke discussions and raise doubts. This justifies seeking alternative methods for concrete quality assessment. This paper presents a novel approach to quality control and classification of concrete based on combining statistical and fuzzy theories as a means of representation of two types of uncertainty: random uncertainty and information uncertainty. In concrete production, a typical situation when fuzzy uncertainty can be taken into consideration is the conformity control of concrete compressive strength, which is conducted to confirm the declared concrete class. The proposed procedure for quality assessment of a concrete batch is based on defining the membership function for the considered concrete classes and establishing the degree of belonging to the considered concrete class. It was found that concrete classification set out by the standard includes too many concrete classes of overlapping probability density distributions, and the proposed solution was to limit the scope of compressive strength to every second class so as to ensure the efficacy of conformity assessment conducted for concrete classes and concrete families. The proposed procedures can lead to two types of decisions: non-fuzzy (crisp) or fuzzy, which point out to possible solutions and their corresponding preferences. The suggested procedure for quality assessment allows to classify a concrete batch in a fuzzy way with the degree of certainty less than or equal to 1. The results obtained confirm the possibility of employing the proposed method for quality assessment in the production process of ready-mixed concrete.

Sheet piling is commonly used in various areas of special construction. Embedded in the ground before carrying out excavation works, sheet piling constitutes an enclosure and protection for the designed excavation. It is a temporary enclosure and protection for excavations made for communication structures, launch shafts built for microtunnel construction, etc. In order to assess the quality of the engineering works related to the construction of sheet piling, measurements were made of straightness and verticality of the sheet piling used for the technological chambers. The measurements concerned two technological chambers of 7.2 and 6.4 m height. Inventory measurements were made using a total station of 1" accuracy and a leveling staff with the appliance of the socalled projection method. The two technological chambers were built in the investment area called "Infrastructure construction for rainwater drainage, water supply and sanitary sewage collection from the John Paul II International Airport Krakow-Bailee."

The subject of the present article is the evaluation of the use of different water types in the production of concrete mix and C20/25 class concrete (assuming the same composition). Taking as an example a selected Subcarpathia-based concrete production plant, equipped with a process water management system, the research analysed the quantity-quality parameters of drinking water, sewage water, and groundwater and evaluated them for their accordance with mixing-water quality standards. It should be emphasised that the majority of specifications recommend the use of drinking water for concrete production. The paper presents the results of research which analysed the impact of water quality on selected properties of concrete mix and concrete (consistency; compressive strength after 7, 14, and 28 days; density). The results obtained confirmed the findings of the research on the suitability of recycled water for concrete production.

The Miocene deposits of the Carpathian Foredeep are relatively poorly recognized in geotechnical terms. The article analyzes the properties of the Krakowiec clays of the Przemyśl region, in particular physical and deformation parameters. In this part of the Carpathian Foredeep, clay usually occurs at considerable depth under younger Quaternary deposits. Particular attention was paid to the structural characterization of the tested samples. Structural heterogeneity of the studied clay, noticeable already at the stage of macroscopic studies, causes difficulties in conducting laboratory tests of strength parameters, especially the angle of internal friction and cohesion. The specific, layered, claysilt structure may cause difficulties in assessing load-bearing capacity and stability of the ground made of this type of soil. The unusual structure should draw attention of the contractors of geological-engineering and geotechnical documentation and encourage them to check mechanical properties by testing material with direct methods. An important issue is also forecasting changes in strain parameters in relation to the estimation of the effects of settlements of engineering structures.

Mass movements and floods are natural hazards posing a threat to the environment and bring significant economic losses. The flooding and landslide are risks in the municipalities of south-eastern Poland. Long-lasting rains cause initialize process of landslides on the slopes above the river valley, as well as flooding of local infrastructures (buildings, roads, railway tracks) located near water courses. Monitoring of geotechnical and hydrological parameters of the area is the base for the prognosis, as well as the risk assessment associated with them. So, in the paper highlights the issue of the consistency of monitoring and warning systems for these two threats. For landslides work SOPO - System Guards Against Landslides. Hydrogeological bases are defined for floodplains as The Computer System of the National Guard - ISOK. However, notable is the lack of integrity of both systems. In this paper a proposal to determine the overall risk for both threats in case of a single building is presented.